Iran bars CNN correspondent Amanpour

TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran barred CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour Wednesday, saying it was in retaliation for U.S. treatment of Iranians who wanted to visit the United States. <br> <br> Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said it was ``normal&#39;&#39; to bar Amanpour -- though her network is American, she is Iranian-British. <br> <br> Kharrazi told reporters, ``Some Iranian journalists and artists, including film director Abbas Kiarostami, were either denied U.S. visas or left waiting for months for a decision. We, of course, take this into account.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Amanpour had been expected to accompany British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw during his visit to Tehran but had to get off the plane in Kuwait. Straw is on a swing through the region. <br> <br> In a statement released by CNN in Atlanta, Amanpour said she was disappointed in the Iranian government&#39;s decision. <br> <br> CNN spokeswoman Megan Mahoney added, ``We believe the Iranian goverment&#39;s decision to ban Ms. Amanpour is inexplicable and unjustified.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Iran has imposed restrictions on journalists representing American media visiting Iran in response to restrictions imposed on Iranians seeking visas to the United States.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/10/201869